| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2017 | Volume
: 49
| Issue : 2 | Page : 63-67 |
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Influence of pranayama on breath holding capacity and reaction time of junior state level elite swimmers
Tusharkanti Bera1, Kanchan Chourasia2, Sanjay Uddhav Shete2, Anita Verma2
1 Department of Scientific Research, Kaivalyadhama SMYM Samiti; Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University College of Physical Education, Pune, Maharashtra, India
2 Department of Scientific Research, Kaivalyadhama SMYM Samiti, Pune, Maharashtra, India
Correspondence Address:
Tusharkanti Bera
Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University College of Physical Education, Dhankawadi, Pune - 411 043, Maharashtra
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/ym.ym_19_17
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Introduction: Sport like swimming requires maximum accuracy in style, fitness, skill and training. Moreover, the swimmers must possess a better reaction time as well as breath holding capacity that saves time for exhibiting best performance.
Objective: It is thought that regular practice of kumbhaka phase of pranayama may improve swimmers' breath holding capacity and reaction time. Since literature is silent about this concept, the present investigation was carried out.
Method: Thirty male state level swimmers (n = 30), age: 16-18 years, volunteered in this study. This experiment considered a single group design, where all the selected subjects were assessed for two variables viz., reaction time and breath holding capacity at the baseline (i.e., 1st test or pre-test). Further, after a 6-week of swimming practice (1½ hours daily in the afternoon), the variables were re-tested (i.e., 2nd test or mid-test). After the 2nd test was over, all the subjects underwent 6 weeks of combined practice (i.e., swimming followed by pranayama) for 1½ hours daily in the morning. Finally, the subjects were assessed for the selected variables (i.e., 3rd test or posttest).
Statistical Analysis: Repeated measures ANOVA followed by Newman-Kuels post hoc test was employed to record influence of pranayama practices on the variables.
Results: The results revealed that swimming plus pranayama training leads to significant increase in breath holding capacity whereas reduction in reaction time.
Conclusion: Pranayama practice leads to significant improvement in breath holding capacity and reaction time of swimmers. |
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